Bachelor in Philosophy, Politics & Economics

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

The American University of Paris

Program Overview

The Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) major at The American University of Paris gives you a powerful interdisciplinary foundation in the core concepts of philosophy, politics, and economics, inspired by Oxford's renowned program but tailored with an integrated approach that connects these fields to tackle real-world global challenges like globalization and inequality. It's perfect for curious students who love big ideas, critical debate, and analyzing power dynamics—think future leaders, policymakers, or analysts ready to think across disciplines and make an impact.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1: Building Your Foundations
You'll dive into the essentials with team-taught bridge courses that blend philosophy, politics, and economics, starting with Political Economy, which explores similarities and differences in approaches to rationality, representation, government, the commons, security, inequality, and debt at various levels of theory and empirics. This year sets you up with introductions to main concepts and theories across the three fields, helping you spot their strengths and limits while building critical thinking skills right from the start.

Year 2: Deepening Analysis
Courses ramp up with focused explorations like modern political theory and foundational economic principles, drawing from the History and Politics Department's emphasis on political institutions and processes. You'll tackle globalization through political economy lenses, examining institutions like the World Bank, IMF, OECD, WTO, trade relations between Asia, Europe, and the US, and financial crises' global impacts—honing your ability to interpret power and resource allocation.

Year 3 & 4: Advanced Integration and Specialization
In your upper years, integrate it all through core and elective medleys, including advanced topics in ethics, geopolitics, and economic development, with options to specialize via double majors or minors like Institutions and Economic Development. Capstone experiences reinforce analytical tools for policy evaluation and human development, culminating in nuanced perspectives on government, business, and global processes, often with Paris-based experiential learning.

Focus Areas
PPE emphasizes an integrated study of normative claims (philosophy), power structures (politics), and resource allocation (economics) to grasp global interdependence—key areas include political economy, inequality, security, ethics in policy, and institutions' societal impacts.

Learning Outcomes
Graduates gain sharp analytical tools for globalization and democratization, expert critical thinking and reasoning, skills to assess political institutions' effects on societies, and mastery of government/business dynamics with interdisciplinary nuance.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
AUP's PPE aligns with global professional paths in policy, international organizations, business, and NGOs, supported by the university's ties to UN agencies, media, and institutions like Sciences Po—delivered through the accredited Economics and Management and History & Politics departments.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)
AUP PPE grads thrive in competitive fields, bolstered by the university's strong liberal arts prep for leadership roles; while specific PPE rankings aren't listed, AUP's global location and interdisciplinary edge mirror high employability in related programs, with alumni pursuing advanced study and careers where critical thinking is key.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At The American University of Paris (AUP), our Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) program turns theory into real-world action, helping you build practical skills like critical analysis of global issues, policy evaluation, and ethical decision-making through hands-on experiences tied directly to philosophy, politics, and economics. You'll dive into interdisciplinary courses that connect normative philosophy, political power dynamics, and resource allocation, all while leveraging Paris's unique position for experiential opportunities like internships with international institutions and research projects. Our faculty, with their global expertise, guide you in interactive classes that prepare you for leadership in government, business, or NGOs.

This practical edge comes alive through specific program features and AUP resources:

- Internships and partnerships: Close ties with UN agencies, NGOs, media outlets, and institutions like Sciences Po and the Sorbonne open doors to internships and special research projects in politics and economics, right from Paris.
- Research seminars and events: Attend philosophy research seminars and conferences in Paris, including producing episodes for the "Philosophy in Paris" podcast, where you'll gain digital literacy in editing, broadcasting, and reporting on real developments.
- Interdisciplinary group projects: Core and elective courses encourage collaborative exploration across philosophy, politics, and economics—think analyzing democratization or globalization in team settings, with advisor support to tailor projects to your career goals.
- Research centers and institutes: Engage with hubs like the Center for Media, Communication, and Global Change (MCGC), hosting events on democracy and global issues that align perfectly with PPE themes.
- Strategic Paris location as a facility: Classes can extend beyond campus to sites like the Louvre or real-world policy environments, plus easy access to libraries and resources at partner institutions for hands-on political economy research.

Imagine applying these skills in Paris, the heart of global politics and ideas—it's why PPE at AUP grads are ready to lead. Ready to take the next step? Check out our full facilities list here: https://www.aup.edu/learn-about-aup and apply today!

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this program are well-prepared to work in areas where understanding complex global issues is essential. Many go on to roles such as policy advisor, consultant, analyst, or positions within international organizations. This broad, interdisciplinary training opens doors across government, business, and global institutions:

The program builds strong critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and writing skills that employers actively look for
You learn to evaluate policy decisions and global challenges from multiple perspectives, making you adaptable across different career paths
The liberal arts approach develops transferable skills like research, communication, and problem-solving
Academic advising and structured learning support help guide you toward both career opportunities and further study
You graduate with a deep understanding of globalization, political systems, and economic structures, which is valuable in international careers

Further Academic Progression:

After completing this degree, you can continue with postgraduate studies in fields such as Political Science, Economics, Philosophy, Public Policy, or International Affairs. The program also provides a strong foundation for law school or research-focused degrees like a PhD in any of these disciplines.